We’ve been told we’re not making opera in the normal way.

Well, that’s always been our intention. 

For more than four hundred years, operas have been written and performed around the world, but there’s been a common thread in the majority of these works: women suffer. Often at the hands of men who seek to control them. But what if women commanded the narrative?

Iphigenia is an opera debased on the myths by Euripides, with music by legendary 11-time Grammy Award-winning saxophonist and composer Wayne Shorter and a libretto by bassist, composer, and vocalist Esperanza Spalding, the first jazz musician to be awarded the Grammy for Best New Artist. Their subversive and daring interrogation of the tale of the sacrificial daughter of Greece represents Wayne’s first foray into the classical form, and the culmination of a lifelong dream of his to compose an opera since he was a 19 year-old music student.

Iphigenia is not an adaptation of the Greek myth as much as it is an intervention into myth-making itself. Led by award-winning director Lileana Blain-Cruz, and abetted by luminary architect and scenic designer Frank Gehry, the entire creative process has led us to understand how stories have been traditionally told, and how we must disrupt existing systems and create our own alternative structures and stories.

Real Magic is artist-led development.

Artists need the right conditions to do their best work. To meet this need, Esperanza and executive creative producer Jeff Tang founded an independent company, Real Magic, to bring Iphigenia to life. Working in partnership with producer Cath Brittan and with Mara Isaacs of Octopus Theatricals, our goal has been to develop Iphigenia in an environment of radical experimentation and open collaboration, free from commercial expectations. Over the past two years we’ve done just that, working and rehearsing out of college classrooms, guest houses, black box theaters, and even Frank Gehry’s kitchen. And now, we’re ready to bring it to the world.

We need your help to make it happen.

Freedom brings responsibility, and creating an opera with world-class artists and collaborators brings costs. The COVID-19 pandemic may have thrown us off our original track, but as Wayne says, resistance is simply the force that helps planes get off the ground. By joining together and adding your voice to our growing chorus of supporters, we can realize this once in a generation collaborative vision.

Your support for the creation of Iphigenia through your tax-deductible* contribution will go directly to underwriting our incredible artists, designers, and creative team, as well as the final development workshop leading up to our premiere and tour (soon to be announced!) in Fall 2021 and beyond. In return, you’ll receive unique benefits, including special access to conversations and rehearsals, limited edition merch, and of course, public recognition.

Please give what you can and spread the word!

We stand in gratitude.

All donations will be matched up to a total of $50,000, courtesy of a generous contribution from Thomas M. Neff.

Please contact us directly if you are interested in making a donation at any amount above what is already listed on this page, or if your company or foundation would like to provide support for this project.

For project updates, follow us @IphigeniaOpera on Instagram & Twitter, or Facebook!

*All backer contributions are tax-deductible in the United States, minus the cost of any non tax-deductible good(s) received (amounts and specifics are detailed with each backer level).

**Iphigenia personnel are subject to change. Project followers and backers will be notified of any changes via the website, Indiegogo campaign, and social media.

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Team Iphigenia is:

Composer: Wayne Shorter

Librettist & Performer: Esperanza Spalding

Director: Lileana Blain-Cruz

Conductor: Clark Rundell

Scenic Design: Frank Gehry

Core Musicians: Brian Blade, Danilo Pérez, and John Patitucci of the Wayne Shorter Quartet

Dramaturg: Sunder Ganglani

Music Coordinator: Phillip Golub

Executive Creative Producer: Jeff Tang & Esperanza Spalding / Real Magic

Producer: Cath Brittan

Tour Producer: Mara Isaacs / Octopus Theatricals

External Relations & Advancement: Jenna Wolf

Development & Partnerships Producer: Mika Shino

Social Media: ffflypaper

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Maestro Shorter at home with the score

Esperanza mapping out the libretto in DC